Southside students raise money for classmate with leukemia

By PAUL FEELYNew Hampshire Union Leader

MANCHESTER - Good food. Good times. All for a good cause.

Members of the Southside Middle School community came together Friday night to support one of their own, as the Lions Club held a spaghetti dinner to raise money for the family of Janesa Negron, a middle school student battling leukemia.

Negron was diagnosed with cancer in early January, and doctors put her on a plan involving aggressive chemotherapy treatments. Her mother, Deanna Negron, said on Feb. 25 her daughter was listed as being in remission, but will need to undergo preventive treatments for the next two years.

Last night's dinner was held to raise funds to help the Negron family cover the added costs they have incurred since Janesa's initial diagnosis. Deanna, who works as a Head Start social worker, and her husband Jose, a machine operator, have health insurance, but their daughter's hospitalization and frequent doctor appointments have led to lost work hours. They have also had to deal with the additional expenses of transportation to Boston, parking and medication.

The dinner was staffed by students and teachers from Southside Middle School, all volunteers.

"It was great to see over 100 kids sign up to help set up, clean up and serve the food," said Lisa Johnston, secretary for the Southside Parents Support Group. "Some of them don't even know Janesa. They just wanted to help, because they know she goes to their school."

The total amount of money raised by the dinner and donations had yet to be determined Friday night.

Anyone wishing to help the Negrons can send checks payable to the "Janesa Negron Leukemia Fund," sent to St. Mary's Bank, 200 McGregor St., Manchester, NH 03102, or the Janesa Negron Fund at the TD Bank branch at 1255 S. Willow St. in Manchester.

A car wash fundraiser will also be held May 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mobil on the Run at 1050 S. Willow St. in Manchester.